COLONEL JOHN BLASHFORD-SNELL CBE
COLONEL JOHN BLASHFORD-SNELL CBE

Colonel John Blashford-Snell is one of the world's most renowned and highly respected explorers.  He has mounted over a hundred expeditions over the past 50 years all over the world, concentrating on scientific research and community aid.

JBS supports and works with numerous charities working with underprivileged youth in the UK, as well as undertaking countless community aid projects in remote parts of the world.

In the 2019 New Year Honours list JBS was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to scientific research abroad and to young people in the UK.

 

View biography

 

The Great Zaire (Congo) River Expedition 50th Anniversary

Tuesday 12th November at 1830hrs, at the Royal Geographical Society 1 Kensington Gore London SW7 2AR

 

 

 

 

 

The SES is commemorating the 50th anniversary of this large-scale expedition that navigated almost all the 2700 miles of the hazardous Zaire (now Congo) river, shooting enormous rapids, and carrying out important research into “River Blindness” eye disease and a wide variety of scientific projects.

 

Pioneering the use of giant inflatable craft and jet boats, it was supported by the Armed Forces, the Natural History Museum, the Scientific Exploration Society, the Daily Telegraph, Survival Anglia TV, and the RAC. The late Prince Philip assisted the project and helped to obtain the newly produced New Zealand Hamilton Jet Boats for it. The giant 40-foot inflatable craft were used to navigate the huge cataracts.

 

It also commemorated the centenary of Sir Henry Morton Stanley’s 999 day crossing of Africa.

 

Led by Colonel John Blashford-Snell, over 170 servicemen, scientists and medical experts from ten different countries took part in one of the largest British expeditions ever launched. Books and TV films were produced and amazingly, no lives were lost. Richard Snailham wrote the official history of the epic adventure for the SES entitled “A Giant Amongst Rivers”,

 

Following the expedition John Blashford-Snell and the team were awarded the Segrave Trophy at the RAC. The anniversary event is raising funds to assist future generations of explorers.

 

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite, price £24.54 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-great-zaire-congo-river-expedition-50th-anniversary-tickets-857113217707?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

 

FORTHCOMING EXPEDITION

An expedition is planned in South Western Mongolia for 3-24 July 2025. This is a new area for us. The aim is to set up camera traps to film snow leopard over a period of a year, carry out archaeological, botanical, ornithological and zoological studies as well as to give medical and dental aid to the local people of this mountainous region.

 

The expedition will be led by Sue Mackenzie with Kate Coleridge as her deputy. Both were members of the 2023 expedition.

 

A link to the brochure can be found below

Mon02-Sutai Khairkhan Expedition 2025v6A[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [1.4 MB]

PUBLIC LECTURES

John has many lectures planned for the next few months

PUBLICATIONS

John has written or contributed to many publications. His most recent book was published in October 2022

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© Colonel John Blashford-Snell CBE DSc(Hon) DEng(hc) FRSGS